Mansfield PCSO is on the charity beat

A PCSO is embarking on a ‘virtual’ fundraising walk from London to Venice - without even leaving his beat.

PCSO Craig Bull is clocking up the mileage he covers during foot patrols through the Ladybrook beat in Mansfield to raise money for Cancer Research.

He hopes to cover the equivalent of a 1,008 mile walk from London to Paris to Dijon to Geneva to Milan to Venice.

He will be keeping track of how far he walks by using a pedometer, a device which records how many miles he has travelled.

PCSO Bull (36), of Forest Town, says he was inspired to raise money for Cancer Research following a death in his family.

He said: “My aunt died from throat cancer when she was just 56 years old and the shock of it devastated my family.

“There will also be many local people who will undoubtedly have been touched by an illness that kills millions of people every year.

“Most people out there will know someone who has been affected by cancer and I am eager to help in any small way I can.”

PCSO Bull is new to the Ladybrook beat and hopes the fundraising attempt will help him to get to know local people. He said: “I joined the local beat team three months ago. This will not only allow me to raise money for a worthy cause, but it will also enable me to get to know the area and local people and show them I’m dedicated to patrolling the streets.”

He has already covered over 350 miles and hopes to complete the virtual journey by the end of the year.

PCSO Bull will be collecting cash from kind-hearted residents while out on patrol and also invites people to donate money online at www.justgiving.com/Craig-Bull.

Donated money will be used by Cancer Research to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.